Tophead rotary valve (for internal combustion engines)

ABSTRACT

Tophead Rotary Valve is used in internal combustion engines. Each valve would replace the two or more reciprocating popet valves currently use in each cylinder, thereby saving energy now wasted by reciprocating parts and the compression of the heavy springs used with popet valves. The rotating valve is a self-sealing valve which incorporates the combustion pressure itself to seal in that pressure. Prior designs of rotating valves had inherent problems with the expansion and contraction of metal caused by the heating and cooling of the valve and is housing, which then caused leakage of combustion pressure past the minute clearances necessary to maintain both lubrication and combustion gasses. The Tophead Rotary Valve can expand and contract vertically and horizontally while maintaining the same contact clearances with the cylinder head, thus overcoming that inherent problem. The engine itself will run much quieter and should be capable of higher RPMs. One Rotary valve per cylinder should also reduce the total number of parts needed. The Tophead Rotary Valve should increase engine efficiency by close to 10%, increasing gas mileage by the same percentage.

NO PRIOR application of such a rotary valve in conjunction with an internal combustion engine is known.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Tophead Rotary Valve is a new type of rotary valve for use in internal combustion engines. It will replace the common popet valves now in use, saving energy by eliminating the reciprical motion used in popet valves, along with the compression of the heavy valve springs used with popet valves. It can be used in both 4 stroke engines and 2 stroke engines. It is comprised of a thin flat, or funnel, or hemispherical shaped disk, made of an appropriate heat resistant metal, with one or more holes cut out of the disk. The hole is use to allow the passage of intake and exhaust gasses. The valve covers the entire top end of the piston cylinder, which allows the port holes to be as large as possible. The valve rotates in unison with the crankshaft, rotating the hole over the intake and exhaust ports in the head of the engine at the appropriate time. The valve utilizes upward pressure of the combusting gasses to help seal in those gases. It is lubricated between itself and the engine head. The most practical way to rotate the valve is by a stem in the middle of the valve going up through the head of the engine and geared to the crankshaft. There are many ways to gear the valve to the crankshaft. There are many ways to supply the lubrication. There are many ways to add additional seals or groves to the surface of the valve or head to retain oil, and other seals to help retain combustion pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Page one shows 6 views of Tophead Rotary Valves. Page two shows a cutaway view of a one-cylinder engine incorporating a Tophead Rotary Valve. Page two also includes the top and bottom views of the head from the engine shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Drawing, Page 1:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a simple Tophead Rotary Valve. FIG. 2 shows a prospective view of the same valve. Shown is the stem and the pie shaped cutout hole in the disk used for exhaust and intake in a four stroke engine. FIG. 3 is a top view of another configuration of Tophead valve, showing a continuous outer circumference of the disk, with the cutout hole not going all the way out. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same valve shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a side view of a Tophead Rotary Valve showing character 1, which is a slot in the outside edge of the disk, used to hold a simple piston ring to help seal in lubricating oil, and could also aid in sealing combustion pressure. Character 2 of FIG. 5 is a slot in the stem to hold a key stop which holds the drive gear in place. Character 3 of FIG. 5 is a hole going through the stem which takes a simple cotter pin for holding the gear and valve in place. FIG. 6 shows a funnel shaped Tophead Rotary Valve, exemplifying other possible shapes. A funnel shape will allow bigger exhaust and intake ports, although not by much.

Drawing, Page 2:

FIG. 7 shows a simplistic cutaway view of a one cylinder 4 stroke engine. Showing how the Tophead Rotary Valve (character 4) covers the entire top end of the piston cylinder, and can even extend past the circumference of the cylinder. FIG. 7 also shows how a valve can be geared to its stem. The gearing which connects shaft (number 5) with the crankshaft (number 9) are not shown. Character numbers 6 and 7 depict the intake and exhaust ports respectfully. Character 8 is the piston. Character 10 is one of the gears driving the rotating valve. Character 12 shows one of the simple cotter pins (just above a washer) holding the valve and gears in place. FIG. 8 depicts the top view of the head of the engine, showing a better view of the gears and the washers, which are directly under the cotter pins. FIG. 9 shows the bottom view of the head. Characters 6 and 7 are again the intake and exhaust ports which the valve rotates over. Character 11 is, of course, the spark plug, which is recessed above the valve. When it is time for the spark, the hole in the rotating valve will be in line over the spark plug, allowing combustion. 

1. I claim my invention is a rotary disk valve used in conjunction with an internal combustion engine, and is unique in that only one valve will cover the entire top area of the piston cylinder, with one or more triangular cut-out holes which rotate over similar shaped exhaust and intake ports in the head. The valve will rotate at the appropriate speed with the crankshaft, being geared directly to it through a system of gears and drive shafts.
 2. I claim also as my invention any internal combustion piston engine which utilizes my Tophead Rotary Valve to cover the entire top end of the piston cylinder. Meaning any Tophead Rotary Valve engine. 